A card game played by two or more players in which the object is to win a “pot” – all the money bet during a hand. This pot is won either by having the highest-ranked poker hand at the showdown or by out-betting your opponents. The game can be played with as few as 2 players but the ideal number is six, seven or eight.

Getting good at poker requires more than just learning the rules. You also need to understand the psychological factors involved and how to read other players. You should learn to recognize the tells that other players give off, such as fidgeting with their chips, idiosyncratic mannerisms and betting behavior. Beginners often mistakenly assume that limping into a pot is the correct move, but this sends a signal to other players that your hand is weak and that you are not interested in raising.

You should start off by playing relatively tight – you should only play the top 20% of hands in a six-player game or 15% in a 10-player game. You should also study some charts so that you know what beats what (a straight beats a flush, for instance). It is important to remember that even top players make mistakes so don’t get discouraged if you lose a few hands. Moreover, you should always be aware of the time of day when you play poker. Poker is a mentally demanding game and you should only engage in it when you feel ready to face the challenge.